Best Practice to Select a Random Element from Python List – Python Tutorial

In this tutorial, we will use three methods to select a random element from a python list,  the second method is the best, you can use it in your python applications.

Import library

import random

Create a python list

list=['tom', 'good', 'lily', 'cate']

Method 1: Generate a random python list position to select a random element

rand_index = random.randint(0,len(list) -1)
print(list[rand_index])

You must notice the scope of rand_index is [0, len(list)-1]. For details, you can read this tutorial.

Understand Python random.randint() Function for Beginners – Python Tutorial

Method 2: use random.choice() function to select a random element from a python list

rand_value = random.choice(list)
print(rand_value)

This method is the simplest and best. We recommend it.

Method 3: Shuffle a list and select the first element

random.shuffle(list)
print(list[0])

This function can change the order of elements in list, we do not recommend it.